The last thing that registered to Tifa and everyone in the room was calling Leon something he wasn't.

Squall

Yet in reply to that Leon responded to that name.

Squall

And not in a dismissive way as in 'You should look for someone else'. But in an affirmative way; gruff and dry as he usually was. Which made it seem all the more familiar.

The room had become uncomfortably silent. The glares given off by the two in the room were as sharp as a sword's edge; Seifer looking up and across at Leon who starred down back at him. A slight bend in his neck so he could maintain eye contact. Yet with those glares was something in between them that starred back. Two scars opposite each other. And the shared history that put them there.

Cid and Yuffie were quiet in their discontent, though shock and surprise was still with them. Even Fuu and Rai- though always quiet or always boisterous were silent now. Everyone's eyes on the reunification of these two.

But none were more shocked into silence than Tifa who still couldn't wrap her head round this, obvious as it may seem now. But even she could see whatever was brewing it was about to blow right over.

"You two..." she began but almost couldn't believe she would finish it "know each other?"

"You got that right!" Seifer said though when she looked to Leon for an answer, he only nodded doing the opposite of Seifer.

"But how I mean.." she said delicately as she rounded the counter coming into the line of fire of these two "whatever this is there must be some explanation."

"There is one." Seifer answered though his gaze never left Leon "That's the one I've been looking for this whole time."

"Oh, yeah!" Rai cheered.

"Mission accomplished." Fuu added.

"Not yet." Seifer said never looking away from Leon, his glare intensifying now "There's only one thing to do now."

"But you said" Tifa cut in before he could act "it was Squall you were looking for."

"And there he is. I'd recognize him anywhere." Seifer said. Leon had remained silent. Tifa glanced from one to the other still trying to make sense of it.

"Squall has a Gunblade?" she asked. Seifer had recognized that and had voiced familiarity with it already.

"And a scar." Seifer ran his hand across his face.

"But.." she said looking Leon over to see like her initial suspicion he matched the description perfectly, only with added details of the Gunblade that made it more obvious and now she had his own confirmation "but... your Leon." she moved to him and waved a hand.

"I am." he admitted and seemed to quell her fears but not anyone else's "But I was Squall Leonhart before that."

And that was it. Snuffing out any doubts the others had. He was who he said he was. And he was here. All this time.

"Oh yeah. A guilty confession, ya know." Rai said waving his arms.

"But..." Tifa crept forward "your name."

"I changed it." he said with the release of a great breath like a weight was released from him.

"Why?" she asked shocked from his confession and begrudging admittance of it.

"Isn't it obvious? To hide from me." Seifer cut back in and pointed a thumb to his chest "It only did you good for so long, though." He had him there Leon could admit. The cheeky lively grin on Seifer couldn't match the cold dead stare of Leon. "So, what happened?" he asked "You all alone."

"I was." Leon said. His eyes for once broke away from Seifer to see Tifa closet to him. She had been his closest companion for a long time now. Then he looked to Cid behind the counter looking forward and then to Yuffie darting her head to whoever spoke "For a long time." he admitted. It was with these people Leon made the Restoration Committee with. These people, who he rebuilt this world and the lives of those on it. But he was someone else before all that.

"Hm." Seifer let out almost inquisitively "What happened?"

Leon turned his eyes back to Seifer and took in a deep breath. He paused on that last question as silence overcame them again. Something else was building up inside him as he mulled on what Seifer asked. And none seemed more interested in that answer that Seifer. But Leon would not give him it.

"To think" he began "of all the things from my past to come back." he said almost half amused if his voice wasn't so stale "Figures." he said much more evident disappointment as he closed his eyes.

"Well," Seifer grinned "seems like you learned to make new friends." he rolled his shoulders "Leaving old ones behind?" he inquired, and Leon's eyes opened showing some pent-up anger within them to match Seifers "But new friends can't settle old scores." he stepped forward "Come on then! I think it's time we finish this once and for all."

Leon silently obliged him, but not everyone was ready for this as Tifa cut in.

"Wait." Tifa commanded managing to stop Seifer from advancing as Leon remained in place.

"Wait?" Seifer repeated in disbelief.

"Yeah!" Yuffie chimed in from behind "Don't hurt him Squall!" Clearly, she was having a different conversation and different investments.

"That's Leon." he corrected dryly.

Seifer then pointed to Tifa "You said you'd help me find him and handle it my way. You said you'd cheer me on."

"I did." Tifa said "But-"

"But what then? You in league with him?"

"I'm just.. trying to sort it all out." she said looking back to Leon but unsure of who looked back.

"I told you everything you need to know." Seifer said.

"But the man who you described, even if it is him, it's..." she trailed off stopping to look to Leon who stood and looked as he always had "He's so different."

"It's an act!" Seifer exclaimed.

"No act." Leon replied less passionately but no less stalwart.

"Tsch. Well, whatever it is, you know what you are. To me. Rival." he spat "Now it's time to end this." But Tifa could not let that happen.

She stepped up again "Now hol-"

All at once and without warning Seifer bolted from across the room. His eyes dead set on Leon- Squall as he sprinted towards him. From behind him sound came back as Fuu and Rai cheered.

"Yeah!" Rai cheered "Show him what your made of, ya know!"

"Dead on." Fuu said as their voices drowned out the sound of his stampede and Tifa protest of it.

Grinning Seifer closed the gap between them. But Leon stood there the whole time as if he hadn't seen it coming. Then right before him Seifer bent down for only a moment only to erupt bounding up in the air, making up for Leon's natural height advantage over him as he actually rose higher than him into the air. But he had to come back down and when he did his reared back arm came forward and crashing down into Leons cheek.

"Yeah!" Fuu and Rai cheered at the blow as Seifer grinned from it. Tifa was appalled as were the others. Leon, however, didn't react, even as he his body moved from the blow and Seifer came back to the ground.

But when he did, that's when Leon struck back. Leon's body turned back towards Seifer. Many expected him to release his Gunblade which was resting on his right shoulder the entire time, but he had not moved it. Instead, when he swung back, he swung his free left arm out striking Seifer on his own with the back of his fist, and with greater strength knocking Seifer off his feet onto his back on the ground.

Landing on his back Seifer saw Leon looming large over him. Grunting to himself he ran a hand over his mouth.

"HEY!" Tifa snapped. That made Leon stop short of anything else.

Despite being on the ground, Seifer grinned as that seemed to stall him "Everyone's against you Squall."

He said nothing to him, but he seemed to be thinking a retort. But this was no time to hear it. Seifer jumped up to his feet. As he did, Leon finally took another step forward looking as if he was going to unleash his sword. But before he could swing it down, he was suddenly grabbed by a shadow with pale arms.

Tifa had grabbed ahold of his reared back left arm holding it and him in place.

Stopping now Leon turned towards her coming face to face with the icy stare of uncertainty in her eyes softened his stance.

"This doesn't go any-" she scolded but was cut short as Seifer back on his feet jumped up and unleashed both feet kicking Leon dead center in his chest, causing him to fall on his back and Tifa grabbing onto him fell alongside him. She let out a small shriek as she landed beside him on the floor losing her grip on him.

"Thanks Tifa!" Seifer said "But I got him."

"Yeah, you do!" Yuffie cheered as she hopped onto the counter as Cid eyed her disapprovingly.

On the ground Leon lay with Tifa beside him. He was up quickly, first to his knees cradling over her.

"You ok?" he asked. Propping herself up on her elbow, her red eyes looked like pools of pained blood which matched the pained exasperation in her face. She just let out a wince and Leon seemed to flare up at that and he gripped his Gunblade tighter. Cutting to his feet he came up and went directly for Seifer.

"Yeah." Seifer grinned "That's it, come on!" he waved him on with his hands eager to continue what was left unfinished for so long. And Leon or perhaps Squall answered.

He cleared the room faster than Seifer had and was on him just as quickly. His arm had been reared up this entire time and his Gunblade with it, but not anymore. He finally unleashed his sword swinging it down from his right shoulder. Seifer brought his hand up to brace it, but the strike was stronger than he expected, and he was instead knocked off his feet. He was thrown back across the floor hitting into the side of counter denting it where he hit and rattling the rest of it. Glasses and plates fell to the floor, pizza boxes opened as slices splatted on the ground, bottles of soda fell with them as some opened to fizzle out. Yuffie lost her footing leaning on it, but thankfully was caught by Cid. In his arms, her head peered over the counter to see where Seifer was on the other side.

On the floor a heavy pained grunt escaped Seifer when he finally rolled back on his stomach holding his side that hit the counter and to hold his shoulder that was hit by the Gunblade.

Leon then approached, slow and methodical. He brought his arm up now as he came over him ready to bring it down onto him again. But Seifer saw the approaching shadow and with all his strength staggered up. But his movements were not slow after that.

Before Leon could swing Seifer let loose a punch to the left side of Leons stomach with his fist. The right did the same to the other, and the left came back again. Each blow staggered Leon and his swing faltered. Then to top it off Seifer jumped up uppercutting Leon. But when he came down Leon merely swung his fist forward knocking Seifer away. But before he could get away Leon grabbed ahold of him, pulled him back and then lifted him up by his neck. With him in his grip, Leon swung his sword slashing Seifer again and sending him just as far this time, all the way across the room.

Seifer was flung past Fuu and Rai hitting the wall as some pictures behind him fell around him. Glass cracked and shattered from their frames, and he was in the same state as he was before. The sword burned across his body just like it did all those years before.

Once again, Seifer looked up and saw Leon approach. The Gunblade, the dreaded weapon he used had already back resting on his shoulder. That was the greatest weapon in Squall's arsenal. But he was not without weapons either.

Across the ground around him were discarded plates and cups both in pieces and still intact along with bottles and cans of soda. Getting to his knees Seifer reached for one. He shook it in his hand like a maraca and then pointed it forward clicking the top off like a grenade. A furious flow of fizz shot out from it. Leon casually eased to his left dodging the flow only for it to end up hitting Cid dead on in the face. The old man's grumbling wet face was seen before Leon eased back blocking it out and making his way forward.

Seifer quickly grabbed another one, quicker now he shook and opened it releasing the stream directly onto Leons face. His eyes closed and face scrunched up before it was hit dead on. With him unable to see Seifer made his move. Swiping a plate on the floor, he jumped up and landed on the counter beside Leon. At this time Leon shook his face free of soda with drops landing across the room. As he shook his head, he opened his eyes and on his left side he saw Seifer now for once towering over him with a plate in his hand.

Seifer snapped his foot out hitting him in the face. Then he slammed his fist down hitting Leon on the top of his head breaking the plate over it. Off balance Leon swung his body towards him unleashing his right arm which held the sword. But he struck too low, and it only collided with the counter and sliced it in two. Yuffie and Cid jumped away as the blade cut everything before them.

Seifer then jumped over Leon and his blade's swing to land on the smaller table on his other side; the one where he stood before where he recounted his tale against Rodrigo, Gonzorgo, Honest john and Gideon. Turning around he saw Leon had just pulled his sword from the counter. He had no choice but to strike again.

Bending down and jumping off the table he went at Leon again. But Leon was ready this time. Though wet and sticky it didn't slow him down.

As Seifer jumped, Leon grabbed him by the throat. Then moving forward, he reversed Seifers jump bringing him back to the table he jumped off of slamming him onto and through it forcing his landing on the ground. The table splintered as Seifer crashed through it with legs scattered across the ground and pieces splattered out from the rest. With his grip still strong on him, Leon flung Seifer, sliding him across the floor stopping at the wall only when his head hit it.

Seifer groaned holding his head against the wall as he remained spread out on the floor.

With his leg still in reach Leon grabbed his ankle and pulled him back, only he kept going as he hurled Seifer around and flung him from across the entire room. Traveling through the air, he stopped only when his back hit the frame of the door and became bent from it. The house shook from his impace and the lights flickered as the chandelier above them swayed.

Seifer groaned as for a moment as he seemed pinned to it before he fell to the ground limply.

"Seifer." he heard a womans voice call. Looking up with pained eyes, he saw Tifas petrified worried expression on him "You have to stop." she pleaded "You don't have to do this."

"Yes." he grunted as he put his fists to the ground and for a fleeting moment, she thought he was agreeing with him, but her hope was short lived "I have to. I have to fight. It's all been leading to this." he said though struggling to get up further "I've come all this way." he groaned.

Leon made his way back across his room to the door but not to leave. Seifer remained sprawled on the floor trying to get himself up.

As he lay there, Leon closed in but as he did two figures just as small as Seifer scurried around him and put themselves between the two. He could no longer see Seifer or Tifa, only these two who put themselves before him.

The two got in his way. He stopped moving and looked at them blankly. He did not know them and did not count them as his enemies, but they no doubt thought of him as one. The boy had tried to stop him from coming in before, and he was trying to stop him again. The girl had not said a word to him or anything at all.

"And you two are?" Leon asked dryly.

"Seifers right hand man, ya know." Rai said defiantly.

"Friends." Fuu said much simply.

"We came all this way to find the big bad himself and here you are."

"So, what now?" Leon asked.

"Well.." Rai rolled his shoulders "it's Seifers fight, but we're here too ya know."

A voice suddenly stopped them from making any moves.

"Thanks guys." Leon heard Seifer from behind them but still could not see them "But I got this." Suddenly two hands appeared on each of their shoulders closest to each other. Then all of a sudden Seifer was flung up from them, catapulting himself up and over their shoulders into the air and towards Leon yet again.

The moment Seifer pushed off of his friends' shoulders to come at Leon, he brought his Gunblade down from his shoulder. Twirling it around his finger by the trigger guard, it ended up pointing out towards Seifer stretched out from Leons arm.

Seifer closed in on him from the air but when he got closer, he only got closer to the tip of his sword.

The tip of the blade glowed red. A surging ball of fire forming at the tip. Like a bullet it was released hitting Seifer point blank as he travelled towards it and could do nothing to defend against it. The eruption from the blade and the impact of its contact with Seifer was heard and felt from the center of the room. The lights from above went out as the chandelier swayed from each blow to the walls before, but now fell and crashed to the ground from the blowback of the shot beneath it.

Struck instantly and propelled back once again Seifer was flung back across the room this time crashing through the window. The glass shattered as he fell out into the darkened night street. Shards of glass and broken light from inside shined onto him as everywhere else was blackness. The glass twinkled like stars as he found himself on the ground yet again.

Everyone else inside watched on with horror on their face.

"Seifer..." Rai said and when the two heard a footstep behind them, they turned to see Leon. His glare was cold and hard but not menacing. He starred down blankly at them for whatever reason they were here, it was for him, but they were not a threat. Raising his arm, Leon pointed with his sword extending his reach and the shadow it cast which was right over the two of them. The tip pointed out to the door.

"You two can go now." he said offering them the chance. They took this opportunity to do that but not without an act of defiance and a stuck-out tongue from Rai.

The two scurried away from Leon to go outside to join Seifer leaving behind the battle they had long anticipated. The house now had a broken window and table, dents in the walls, a split counter and was covered in spilled soda, splattered pizza, broken picture frames with glass all around.

Leons eyes went to the two as they arrived at Seifers side. But even he seemed to be aware that he was being watched with judgmental eyes. But he seemed to ignore that as he marched forward yet again.

"Seifer." Rai said taking one arm as Fuu took the other "This isn't it, ya know." he pleaded "Fights now over."

"Undecided." Fuu said as they got Seifer to his feet. Though they couldn't see his face, they heard his voice.

"Your right... it's not." Seifer agreed alleviating both their fears though his voice was full of determination it was still winded, as if on the receiving end of a beating. A shadow came over them, snuffing out the now faint light from the house that once shined out to them. Looking up they saw the broken misshapen shadow from the window. But beside it the long rectangular one cast from the doorway was obstructed itself now. By Leon standing within it.

Seifer grimaced at him as his face remained static. Shaking his friends off, Seifer put his fists up ready for more. Leon released a breath expecting it but tiring of it all the same. He took a step forward coming into the outside world raising his arm and sword higher, ready to bring it down. As he did Seifer ducked under, ready to shoot up with his fist.

But right as both were about to unleash their attack both were stopped.

In a flash Tifa suddenly appeared and put herself between the two. One arm grabbed Seifers fist holding it into place effortlessly while the other pushed up Leons raised elbow and keeping it at bay. Both of them stiffened by her sudden arrival and that though she was doing it almost effortlessly she very much had both of them in place and they were not moving from it.

"Seifer." Rai let out.

"No! Tifa cried. The second she cried out Leon instantly disengaged from her backing away, so she no longer held his elbow as his sword went to his side. But Seifer tried to move around her to get to him "I said NO!" she shouted her voice echoing out into the dark streets. From that darkness some lights appeared, and voices heard as doors and windows opened down from them down the street.

Her gaze turned back to Leon, her eyes pained on the verge of tears, she was panting and shocked before turning back to Seifer and then repeated that process. His head was bowed now, and his fist was shaking.

"I can't." Seifer said through clenched teeth "I can't let it end here. It can't end here."

Tifa looked at him more with pity now than anything

"Why?" when he looked up to her the scar between his eyes made it seem like they shined brighter.

"Because of what he did!" he shouted. More lights began to line the street, and their shadows were seen of all shapes and sizes. Voices were heard too.

'Who's that?' 'Why's he angry?' Who's he after?' 'Is that Leon?' 'Good thing he came to him for help.'

Leon shifted only a step away from them growing more uncomfortable as the voices grew and more light lite up the street casting itself onto them. Seifer, however, stood his ground before Tifa.

"Listen." she said before she took a knee to get more eye level with him "I just... it's hard to believe it could be him. Even now." she said. The man Seifer described sounded so bad, but Leon had done so much good.

"He's got you fooled too huh?"

"It's not a trick." she told him though a crack in her voice made her sound like she wasn't sure of it. She looked back over her shoulder to him "Is it?" she asked.

"No." he answered coolly but managed to make it worse "But neither is what he's talking about."

Gasping Tifa stood back up to face him.

"See!" Seifer moved his head around her to glare at him "I told you. He's bad news."

Leon dropped his eyes from Tifas mournful stare to Seifer and it aggravated him "You're not different." he said tracing his own scar.

"Tsch." Seifer let out proudly and did not dispute it "New trick?" Seifer asked pointing to the tip of the Gunblade and the fire it shot.

"New skill." Leon answered.

'Interesting.' Seifer thought "How much stronger did he get?' But he kept up his bravado and spoke aloud "Don't think I'm without mine too!" he said flexing.

"Your sloppy." Leon said dismissively instantly "I'll tell you the same thing I told you then.." he paused and the shadows on his face seemed to grow darker "Why don't you come back in ten years?"

That stirred a fire in Seifer "I'm strong enough now." Seifer slammed a fist into his open palm "And I couldn't wait that long."

"It shows." Leon jabbed at him. Ready to prove him wrong, Seifer tried to step forward and around Tifa, but she stopped him.

"No." Tifa said planting herself deeper between them "There's no reason for this."

"Oh yes there is." Seifer said "I didn't come all this way to find you and not get what's mine."

"Don't you think you've done enough fighting for one night?"

Seifer could not hold the stare with her, just as Leon couldn't. So, he bowed head and when he rose though he retained his youthful smugness he did over some brevity.

"Fine." he conceded "If my lady doesn't want us to fight now, we won't." he said but then he pointed a finger up to Leon like it was a sword of its own "But hear this Squall." he said threateningly "I'll give you tonight. But tomorrow we end this. For Good."

There was a silence over Tifa's shoulder but eventually it responded.

"For good." he agreed. Her eyes widened in shock at him as if she had heard him call Squall for the first time again.

"And don't go thinking you got off this night." Seifer said "That was a good warm up." he grinned "But don't think that's it gonna go like this tomorrow. We'll settle it once and for all." he paused "Say your prayers and have sweet dreams. Cuz tomorrow we close the book on us." Leon nodded to him.

For the first time Seifer put his back to them and walked off into town walking the now very lit path from all of the lights from houses and all the onlookers.

"Who's that?" they asked "That's that young rabblerouser. He's new in town." "What's he looking for?" Who is he looking for?"

But the one that stuck out most was "Whose Squall?"

When he started hearing that name, Leon turned his head away from them and slumped into the house. But he stopped short when he found Tifa now standing before him, her arms crossed.

He dipped his head to hide behind his bangs, but it did him no good.

"We need to talk." she said. He did not respond as he continued to hide shamefully from her sight and voice.

"It's me who needs to do the talking." he eventually corrected "Can I come in?" he asked after a long pause. He stilled lived there. Rai could not stop him before, but she had the authority.

Tifa said nothing but walked in front of him obstructing his view of the place they all called home.

When he got back, he saw it looked even worse than when he left it even though it was exactly the same. Shards of glass, splintered tables, one of the couches was turned over. Food and drinks littered the ground. The lights were dimmed, and it was half dark inside the house.

So much for a celebration.

He closed the door behind him but found the door did not close all the way since he threw Seifers back into it. Looking ahead he saw Tifa take her place next to the counter and continued to stare at him with crossed arms. Cid had grabbed a dustpan as Yuffie hung from a cabinet.

"Git down from there." Cid snapped and she complied "Enough of a mess as it is." he said looking down at the ground.

"No." Leon said "It's my mess." he said "I'll clean it myself."

"But what about the story?" Yuffie asked.

"I can do two things at once." Leon said trading his Gunblade for a broom.